SKETCH OF JOHN B. ST ALL 0. 553 



motion universally are curiously limited to the concej)tion of im- 

 pact. Although, the influence of the metaphysics of the middle 

 ages is nominally discarded by modern scientists, yet that influ- 

 ence is distinctly traced in their modern seeking after the absolute 

 in time, space, and motion. This, too, while it is clear that rela- 

 tivity is the law of both nature and thought. Judge Stallo con- 

 cludes his book with a caustic criticism of the theory that space 

 can exist in more than three dimensions. That theory he shows 

 to involve the attribution to space of the very properties by the 

 absence of which alone it is distinguishable from matter. He 

 avers the search for properties in space, pseudo-sphericity and 

 the like, to be without warrant from physics, mathematics, or 

 logic. 



While thus subjecting modern hypotheses to radical and often 

 adverse criticism. Judge Stallo never for a moment drops into an 

 injudicial tone. Such partial and tentative value as these hy- 

 potheses may possess he cheerfully accords them, but he maintains 

 that the progress of individual sciences has far outstripped the 

 unifying power of a philosophy whose roots are imbedded in 

 ancient and discredited metaphysics. Throughout his life the 

 themes treated in the "Concepts"' have occupied the author's 

 mind, and been the objects of his study. He may in the future 

 present further consideration of the fundamental problems of sci- 

 entific philosophy, as a sequel to the " Concepts." 



It was to be expected that such a volume as the " Concepts " 

 should have a noteworthy reception in the world of science, and 

 at the hands of leading reviewers. Mr. A. W. Reinhold, in the 

 London " Academy," commended it highly. So did " The Ameri- 

 can Engineer's " critic. Prof. Tait, in " Nature," and the reviewers 

 of the " Critic " and the " Nation," did not admire its analysis, or 

 deem its conclusions sound. 



A close friend of Judge Stallo's, who has furnished us with an 

 analysis of his character — Mr. C. H. Goddard, of Marietta, Ohio — 

 credits him with great facility in turning from the study of one 

 thing to the study of another ; in learning retentively all kinds 

 of facts, principles, opinions, hypotheses, and words ; in analyzing 

 these and using the results of his analyses ; and in expression, 

 whether by speech or in writing ; " but only an intimate friend," 

 he adds, " could appreciate the seemingly effortless impulse with 

 which he has done the most that he has accomplished outside of 

 his legal practice." He is distinguished among his friends by the 

 breadth of his sympathies, and this is exemplified in many per- 

 sonal and patriotic attachments, and acts growing out of them ; in 

 freedom from envy or jealousy, and in the catholicity of his aes- 

 thetic tastes ; but in nothing more than in his love for knowledge 

 and for rational freedom. Of these, his love for rational freedom 



